by Jasmine Taylor | Apr 1, 2023 | Elections
Merchant’s Election Plan Meeting shows insurmountable Incompetence.
Yesterday over 200 citizens attended a special meeting of the Cascade County Commission to hear Sandra Merchant’s election plan. The meeting started with Commissioner Rae Grulkowski acting as intellectual body guard for Merchant, and telling the audience only questions related to the presentation itself would be answered. Unfortunately for Grulkowski, Merchant wasn’t even capable of answering those questions.
Merchant’s powerpoint presentation read like a third grade book report, irrelevant images and bouncing text included. All it was missing was a star swipe. And, of course, an actual plan to hold the elections. But a plan was notably absent. Rather, Merchant proffered a list of excuses as to why she hasn’t prepared for the upcoming elections. She blamed redistricting, the closure of IPS, and harped on the possibility of a five hour trip to use a different business. (Note: A five hour trip is a regular occurrence for Montanans, and it doesn’t cost $40k+ to make that trip happen.)
Sprinkled into her excuses was overt anti-election sentiment. Instead of providing voters a timeline, costs, and transparency, Merchant used her time to present a list of why mail elections are bad and a “history” of school poll elections. Preventing mail elections is a popular voter-suppression method among election deniers like Merchant and Grukowlski.
Even more alarming than the pedestrian presentation, Merchant failed to answer even basic questions about the upcoming elections and her duties. Merchant would not answer simple “yes” or “no” questions, such as if the school and library elections would be mail elections. When pressed, Grulkowski continuously stepped in, tried to stop citizens from asking their questions, and allowed Merchant to sit virtually silent without providing a single direct answer.
Asked directly, multiple times, Merchant could not say how much poll elections would cost as compared to mail elections. She could not say if the library and school district would be responsible for those increased costs, or what the relevant contracts stated. Commissioner Briggs specifically asked about the increased number of election judges, and Merchant seemingly was not able to grasp the question whatsoever.
Essentially, the only information Merchant offered was that elections will take place on time. However, she provided no details as to how and at what cost. Voters asked in-depth, knowledgeable questions which deserve clear and transparent answers. Despite her opening statement about transparency, Merchant provided none.
After yesterday’s debacle, it is clear that Cascade County voters cannot trust Sandra Merchant.
by Jasmine Taylor | Mar 16, 2023 | Elections
Sandra Merchant was elected as the new Cascade County Clerk and Recorder last November. In just a few short months, Merchant has rendered the department inoperable. According to multiple knowledgeable sources, Merchant hasn’t been completing such basic tasks as handling finances and even checking the mail. We’ll be getting a more detailed report together regarding Merchant’s utter failure to fulfill her multiple duties, but today we must address an urgent issue.
Sandra Merchant is not holding elections. At present, the people of Cascade County are being denied our right to vote in elections and on ballot issues. Great Falls is the third largest city in the state, and as of today we have no functioning Democracy.
Merchant has refused to hold a mail election for the Sun River School District. Her actions have left Sun River little time to put together a poll election, and its entirely possible the election won’t take place at all. The citizens of Sun River deserve access to free, fair, efficient, and transparent elections. Merchant’s inability and unwillingness to perform her duties is stripping Sun River residents of their rights.
Also on the chopping block is the special election for the library levy. The Commission voted to send the issue to the ballot on February 21st and notified Merchant on February 22nd. There is a provision that would allow Merchant to inform the city that she couldn’t conduct the election. Merchant had 5 days to put this refusal in writing- and she didn’t do this. Therefore, Merchant is knowingly ignoring city code.
Merchant is blaming the closure of Innovative Postal Services for her inability to conduct these elections. We’re not fooled by her attempts at diversion. The previous Clerk and Recorder has faced challenges similar to what Merchant is facing now. Barriers like redistricting, changing private sector business partnerships, and a lack of resources are nothing new. The only difference we’re now facing is that Sandra Merchant is in charge- and she doesn’t know how to do her job.
Sandra Merchant ran on a platform of election denial. She claimed that our elections process couldn’t be trusted- despite a total lack of evidence for her wild allegations. Now, Merchant is literally keeping us from voting. Her total ignorance of the election process is evidenced in her responses- which are a matter of public record—in which Merchant has asked to simply move or reschedule elections. That’s not how elections work, Sandra. They are not scheduled based on your preferences or what is most convenient for you.
Merchant does not have the authority to refuse to conduct or to reschedule an election. Although there are both government employees and elected officials (Looking at you, County Commission) that could be addressing this issue, they are not stepping up and getting this fixed.
So, dear readers, its up to us to defend our Democracy. It’s time for Sandra Merchant to resign.
Email Sandra Merchant and demand her immediate resignation. Copy the County Commission on your email as well. Remember that your email will become a public record, so conduct yourself accordingly.
Email Sandra Merchant at:
[email protected]
Cc the county commission at:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Call the Clerk and Recorders office at: 454 6801
by Jasmine Taylor | Mar 14, 2023 | Militia and Hate Groups
Bart Crabtree, a Great Falls citizen, was previously convicted of stealing $5000 from a girls softball team. Now, Great Falls Representative Lola Sheldon-Galloway has introduced a pair of bills- HB 405 and HB 589- seemingly at Crabtree’s urging. These bills seek to create “citizen grand juries.” This type of vigilante judicial system has long been popular among anti-government militia groups like the Freemen. Before their famous armed standoff with the FBI, the Freemen frequently held citizen grand juries, attempting to charge several Montana officials with imagined crimes, and sometimes even calling for their execution. Lola’s bill is so extreme that former Republican Governer Marc Racicot has spoken out against it. Read his opinion here:
https://helenair.com/opinion/columnists/marc-racicot-citizen-grand-juries-will-create-chaos/article_75d5520e-3eaa-5bae-8fa6-b1ea75d2e551.html
Why is Lola Sheldon-Galloway bringing forth bills on behalf of Crabtree and anti-government militias?
Lola and her husband, Representative Steven Galloway, have thrown their support behind the extremist militia group known as Tactical Civics. Don’t let the name fool you, there’s no “civics” to be had in this far-right organization. Rather, this group is another extremist militia seeking to use force to overthrow Democracy. Steven and Lola previously held a fundraiser for this militia group at one of their many commercial properties. Read about their militia-fundraising here: https://wtf406.com/2022/09/galloways-host-militia-fundraiser/
Where does convicted felon Crabtree come into all this?
Crabtree is heavily involved in Montana’s local chapter of Tactical Civics. Creating citizen grand juries is a major organizing point of the group. Crabtree has been busy giving presentations to local Montana chapters of Tactical Civics pushing this agenda. Therefore it appears that the Galloways were knowingly raising money for a militia group, led by a man who embezzled money from a local softball team. Classy, right? HB 405 is a Constitutional amendment, making the stakes even higher. Montana voters do NOT need to incorporate dangerous anti-government mechanisms into our renowned and respected State Constitution.
Montana’s Legislature is a Citizen Legislature- meaning that our Representatives are supposed to be regular working class folks whose full time jobs are in the community, not at politicians. As the Galloways are million-dollar property barrons, we’ve already missed the mark with electing normal citizens. However, their duty once in office remains the same. The Galloways are supposed to represent US and bring forth bills that will positively affect our community. While Great Falls is facing a housing crisis, low wages, and soaring utility costs, both Reps have spent this session ignoring their voters. Interesting then, that Lola has taken the time to introduce TWO bills devoted to helping Mr. Crabtree.
Everyone should be alarmed to see our Reps pushing a radical militia agenda. If conservatives like Marc Racicot are saying to be scared, you know shit has gotten bad.
by Jasmine Taylor | Mar 14, 2023 | Housing, Taxes
The City Commission has decided to send the Safety Levy to the ballot. Commissioners previously sought a property tax increase of 191% to fund the levy, essentially doubling the city’s budget to support this single levy. Outspoken supporters of the levy, like Commissioner Rick Tryon, quickly changed their tune when met with negative feedback from citizens. Although they’re still out of touch with what homeowners in Great Falls can afford, the safety levy is headed to the ballot, asking homeowners to approve a 65% increase to their property taxes.
How Much Would the Levy Cost You?
The city has noted that a 65% increase would come out to about $156.00 for a $100,000 house and around $300 for a $200,000 house. . A quick look at Realtor.com shows that the average home price in Great Falls is far nearer to $300,000. Using a house valued at 100,000 is a useless example of how the levy would affect most homeowners. So why is the city intentionally downplaying the expected cost to homeowners? Put simply, they know we can’t afford a 65% increase any more than we could afford their initial 191% increase.
Now the city is also looking to spend $150,000 on a private firm to advocate for the levy. That’s right, they’re spending over $150,000 of OUR tax money in an attempt to ALSO raise our property taxes by 65% Combine the hefty PR price tag with the arguably misleading housing market numbers being provided, and it seems the Commission is well aware that their ask is not practicable, affordable, or popular.
What’s the Return on Investment?
With the city seeking such a major tax increase, it’s important voters know what exactly this levy will fund. Of particular note, the levy would add two School Resource Officers (SROs) to the budget, with a total cost of $230,000 to the taxpayers. However, multiple studies have shown that SROs in no way increase the safety of schools. Rather, their presence has been shown to be harmful to the student population, particularly students of color. The National Education Association reports, “Yet research shows that SROs do little to reduce on-campus violence or mass shootings, and their presence is often damaging to students of color and students with disabilities. Having SROs in schools can actually create higher rates of behavioral incidents and spikes in suspensions, expulsions, and arrests.”
Concerns regarding SRO treatment of BIPOC kids has held true nationally as well as locally, as detailed in the ACLU Montana’s Empty Desks report. Read the report here: https://www.aclumontana.org/en/edureport2019?fbclid=IwAR2fN3MP81uDSVu0pYqHpkJnzKX9RX7pcq_rG9ZFTRfNvW-WqUr9LebG8W8
Studies also show that more police does not necessarily increase community safety. There is no indication that increasing law enforcement’s budget will result in a reduction of serious crime in our city. While police respond to crime, preventing crime is done by increasing community resources, like access to treatment programs for substance use and mental health. Do we want to focus on punishing criminals, or preventing crime from happening in the first place?
Can Great Falls Afford Higher Taxes?
In addition to concerns with the allocation of levy funds, the fact remains that Great Falls citizens are simply overtaxed and underpaid. An emerging housing crisis has already exacerbated the Great Falls housing market, and a 65% tax increase could be the final nail in the coffin for homeowners on a fixed income. Voters already approved a county safety levy last fall. Schools and other vital services also routinely rely on levies to support the increased costs of meeting community needs. If this massive safety levy were to pass, it would likely mean disaster for future levy attempts for other entities, like our schools. If education and public services deteriorate due to lack of funding, we could create an endless loop of increased crime and increased police budgets with a city that isn’t any safer.
Put simply, Great Falls citizens don’t have extra cash to support a 65% property tax increase.
Which begs the question, why is the Commission pushing dramatic property tax increases on homeowners while simultaneously giving massive tax breaks to companies like Calumet? How did the city decide our budget could forego $2.77 MILLION DOLLARS from the refinery, and then turn around and ask homeowners to pay an extra 65% on their houses? Read about the city’s massive tax-gift to Calumet here: https://wtf406.com/2022/09/county-approves-another-tax-break-for-refinery/
So which is it Great Falls? Do homeowners need to pay 65% more to fund a levy? Or are we so well-funded that we can give big-businesses massive tax breaks? Perhaps Great Falls will have fewer safety needs when none of us can afford to live here? Vote for the safety levy, and we’ll soon find out.
Read more about law enforcement budgets and crime rates here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/06/07/over-past-60-years-more-spending-police-hasnt-necessarily-meant-less-crime/?fbclid=IwAR3zAGkTZhyOMV1Sa63vlNauBDoL_EDCBBPjV-WyKw1mjTierzMlSXbiW_U
Read NEA’s full article here: https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/making-schools-safe-and-just?fbclid=IwAR38MFtEguiBy4ALAxSimI7LdbLUDz_04MU9L7GBZqRVaW0y13Lv9XSIImg#:~:text=Yet%20research%20shows%20that%20SROs,suspensions%2C%20expulsions%2C%20and%20arrests
by Jasmine Taylor | Feb 26, 2023 | Abortions Rights, Guest Articles
By Dr. Kate Eby
HB303, presented by its proponents as a bill to provide protections to medical practitioners, healthcare institutions, and healthcare payers based on their conscience, presents a real and imminent danger to the health and wellbeing of Montanans. This bill doesn’t just provide for all of these entities to refuse to participate in certain crucial aspects of medical care (with its primary focus being abortion). It also requires that those who are willing to provide these services provide affirmative consent, in writing, prior to being requested or assigned to participate in these services in any way.
This bill is dangerous on many levels. First, and perhaps most obviously, it limits the care available to Montanans. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology describes abortion as “an essential component of comprehensive, evidence-based health care.” This bill represents another step to limit access to this critical aspect of healthcare. Abortion is healthcare and should be treated as any other aspect of healthcare would be. Allowing healthcare entities to refuse to provide this service has serious, and potentially fatal, consequences.
In a case cited by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) which, under the Trump administration, passed a rule similar to the one currently being considered, abortion services were denied to a patient carrying a nonviable pregnancy. The patient, Tamesha Means, presented to the only hospital within 30 minutes of her – a Catholic hospital. She was 18 weeks pregnant and went into early labor. She was not advised that her pregnancy was likely nonviable, nor was she offered the (medically appropriate) treatment option of terminating her pregnancy. Instead, she was discharged home with pain medication and told to keep her scheduled followup appointment the next week. She returned to the hospital the following morning with a fever and severe pain. Despite her treating physician’s suspicion that she had a severe infection which could result in her infertility or death, she was again discharged home. She returned to the same hospital for the third time that night with severe, painful contractions, and as the hospital was preparing to discharge her home for the third time, she delivered a baby that lived only for a few short hours. Several years later, she sued the Conference of Catholic Bishops, something that the HHS described as an attempt to coerce organizations into performing abortions against their will.
As a healthcare worker with a lifetime of experience providing care to patients facing emergent and acute illnesses, I can say with confidence that the care she received was substandard by any definition. A patient presented with a severe, life-threatening emergent medical problem – a problem which has a clear and appropriate course of treatment: termination of the pregnancy. However, the organization and its employees, based on religious beliefs, failed to provide her with appropriate care. They endangered her life and wellbeing. HB 303 would allow organizations and healthcare providers in Montana to not only refuse to provide this type of medically appropriate care, it would also allow them to refuse to refer the patient to other sources for this care. In a state with already limited resources, this further narrows the options that patients are given to receive the most appropriate care.
The Lancet, among the oldest and most respected journals in the medical community, put it best when they said, “The Justices who vote to strike down Roe will not succeed in ending abortion, they will only succeed in ending safe abortion. Alito and his supporters will have women’s blood on their hands.” HB303 represents yet another insidious attempt to rob women of reproductive rights and access to safe, evidence-based, medically appropriate healthcare.
Dr. Kate Eby is a dually certified Family and Adult Geriatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. She received her masters degree from MSU-Bozeman and completed her doctorate and post-doctoral studies at the University of Colorado. She has practiced in a variety of acute care and inpatient settings. She is also a Certified Nurse Educator through the National League for Nursing, and teaches at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Sources:
American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. (2022). Abortion Policy. https://www.acog.org/clinical-information/policy-and-position-statements/statements-of-policy/2022/abortion-policy.
Means vs. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2016). https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca6/15-1779/15-1779-2016-09-08.html
The Lancet. (2022). Why Roe v. Wade must be defended. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)00870-4/fulltext
